Dear Neighbors, Following a special election last Tuesday in Roseville, the Minnesota House is now tied with 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans. The House will enter into our power-sharing agreement Monday, with committees having equal numbers of members from each party and co-chairs who will share the gavel.  In past weeks, House Republicans have controlled committees and Floor agendas. During this time, they spent almost all that time on extreme priorities that never passed the chamber. The GOP brought a hateful and dangerously invasive bill to the House floor that would ban trans kids from playing sports, while making all students open to scrutiny based upon their gender. HF 12 was dangerous and discriminatory legislation that scapegoated a small and vulnerable group of Minnesotans. I'm proud I voted against it. Watch a lifelong student athlete speak to the cruelty of this bill. Another was their “Shoot First” bill. Currently, 27 states have Shoot First laws, and every one of them has a higher rate of gun deaths than Minnesota, with the average rate of gun deaths being more than twice Minnesota’s. Shoot First laws are also associated with heavy racial bias. A study in Florida found that white shooters killing Black victims is deemed justifiable five times more frequently than when the situation is reversed. This bill did not pass and I was proud to vote no. Over the past two years, House DFLers took action to reduce gun violence by requiring criminal background checks and creating Extreme Risk Protection Orders. These policies are already making a difference. In fact, Minnesota has one of the lowest firearm mortality rates in the US, in large part to our sensible and safety-centered gun violence prevention laws. Democrats refuse to allow Republicans to strip or weaken hard-fought progress. We’re able to shift gears now, and I’m confident that my next update will be full of news about bills that will actually pass the House and help the people of Minnesota.  Minnesota Youth Council Applications Due March 23Last year I was the author of a bill to fund the Minnesota Youth Council, a council created by the legislature to uplift youth voice on legislative policy issues. In the Minnesota Youth Council, 36 Alliance youth leaders amplify the power of their 325,000 peers to advocate for state policies that support the future of young people across Minnesota. Applications for the Minnesota Youth Council are now open until March 23rd. Please encourage the youth in your life to apply! The application and more info can be found here. Gov. Walz Announces Effort to Help Federal Workers Laid Off Find Jobs in Minnesota Governor Walz announced a new resource for federal employees who have recently lost their jobs or are facing employment uncertainty. Minnesota’s tight labor market continues to be a challenge for businesses looking to hire in Minnesota, with less than one person unemployed for every job opening available. There are around 18,000 federal employees in Minnesota. Minnesota’s federal workers can visit the Minnesota Careers Website to learn about available resources, including: - Job search and application preparation, including in-person and online workshops, resume reviews, and networking opportunities
- Resources for veterans?
- Instructions to apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits.?
Yes to Homes Agenda A shortage of over 100,000 homes has led to 600,000 Minnesotans being cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income in housing. The average age of a first-time home buyer is now 38 years old, a record high, and eviction filings are through the roof. And there isn't a single county in the state where a family earning the median income can afford the median-priced home. Housing costs too much - whether you are a renter or a prospective homeowner, and we hear the same thing whether you live in urban, suburban, or Greater Minnesota. So we’ve introduced our Yes to Homes legislative agenda that aims to unlock the production of more homes - especially the kind of homes that too often are blocked because of over regulation. We put together this agenda with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, and organizations and advocate groups that rarely see eye-to-eye. It’s an incredibly broad coalition, all seeking the same goals: - Build more homes
- Build them faster
- Build them to be affordable
You can learn more about the agenda in a Star Tribune op-ed by some of my colleagues, which you can read here. Keep in TouchPlease continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at rep.samantha.sencer-mura@house.mn.gov or 651-297-7087. You can also follow my Facebook page. In community, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura Minnesota House of Representatives |